What do you make of a supremely gifted athlete who changes rugby codes just when he is establishing a legacy for the ages? That is the case of Sonny Bill Williams.
And adding to the puzzle is the fact that when you try to work out what the plan behind the changes involves, you come to the conclusion that there is another sport in which he is really trying to establish the SBW legacy.
In my opinion, that sport is boxing. The key to understanding what he is doing with his sporting career is that its real direction is the World Heavyweight Boxing title.
Not long into SBW’s rugby league career The Daily Telegraph, the hoarse voice of the code, proclaimed him as potentially one of the greatest ever players of ‘the greatest game of all’.
Then SBW made his treacherous or brave (depending on your views about the sanctity of sports contracts) bolt from rugby league to rugby union in France.
Early indications suggested that SBW had made a mistake in making the leap of faith. In rugby league he played as a ball-handling and running forward. There was no way he could play this role in rugby union, although Brad Thorn who made the leap from league to union created a stellar career for himself as a Crusaders and All Blacks lock.
In his early days, too, SBW found that the strange league perception (which Phil Gould still maintains!) that there is no tackling in union was arrant nonsense. Stirling Mortlock memorably put SBW on his backside in his first major rugby union match playing for the Barbarians against the Wallabies.
It was not really until SBW came into the Crusaders’ environment that his rugby, as an inside centre, began to flourish.
Because he was big and strong and had enormous hands and upper body strength, SBW developed an off-loading game that has revolutionised the way rugby attacks are being made.
But even in 2011, and during the Rugby World Cup tournament, SBW was still behind Ma’a Nonu as the All Blacks first choice as an inside centre. It was noticeable, too, that he was played more on the wing than in the centres for the All Blacks.
And in the tense Rugby World Cup final against France, he came on with minutes left to play, and on the wing.
But this year for the rampant championship Chiefs and for the All Blacks, SBW emerged as a genuine rugby union star, and a potential great of the game.
But as he did with rugby league, at the time when he should have been creating his legacy for the ages, he moved on. First he played in Japan, a rugby union giant against minions. And then next year back to rugby league with the Roosters. But only for a year.
In 2014 he will probably return to the Chiefs, after another stint, perhaps, in Japan.
Then after the Rugby World Cup 2015 tournament in England, he might play some more in Japan or Europe.
But it will be boxing that will take over as his primary sporting interest.
A cynic could read the SBW shifts from code to code and from country to country as merely part of a manager-led dash for cash. But this does not explain the big cut in his income he will receive from playing for the Roosters.
SBW reckons that he made a handshake agreement with Nick Politis, three years ago when he left rugby league, that Politis would take him back into rugby league, no matter how he fared in rugby union. This is the sort of fall-back option which SBW honoured that was available in a way, as well, to Israel Folau.
But the old cynic in me (it is the journalist streak) also sees a boxing advantage in the Japan and Roosters deals. SBW has Europe and Japan, through his All Blacks connections, as places where he will draw big crowds for his boxing matches.
And through Super Rugby he has New Zealand, South Africa and possibly Australia as venues for his boxing matches. I said ‘possibly’ because the Bulldogs stigma needs to be wiped out.
And it is more that likely that this is going to happen when SBW strips off next year for the Roosters.
Bob Jones, a New Zealand property multi-millionaire, has a passion and a deep knowledge about boxing. He reckons that SBW won’t make it as a boxer. This may be sour grapes on Bob’s part, though, as he has his own New Zealand heavyweight contender.
So far the jury is out on SBW as a boxer. He hasn’t had to take a real punch on the jaw. He has fought over-weight palookas.
He does have a magnificent physique or ‘build’ as they say in New York gyms. He doesn’t seem to have a massive punch, at least at this stage in his short career.
So the jury is out until he starts to fight and beat some fighters who are more than convenient punching bags.
There is, however, some history on his side. Gene Tunney’s last defence of the world heavyweight boxing title he won from Jack Dempsey was against Tom Heeney, ‘The Hard Rock From DownUnder’.
Heeney was a New Zealand Heavyweight Boxing Champion like SBW, and a rugby player who played against the 1921 Springboks.
DON MACKENZIE
Guest
At least while he was at the Cheifs, and especially at the All Blacks, he learnt that he was not number one, and he learnt respect! Respect for the Team and respect for the Jersey...Yes he will return to the Mighty All Blacks, because the Black Jersey with the Silver Fern is the greatest Jersey of all Rugby codes!! He could be a legend, but he has a long way to go to match the other All Blacks Legends, and match what Brad Thorn achieved. Tight Head Don
Hoy
Roar Guru
Hard to do anything at the olympics when the judges make strange decisions on fights...
jus de couchon
Guest
With the number of different heavy weight titles to cherry pick from I dont doubt SBW might actually get one.
jaysper
Roar Guru
Bob Jones wasn't been bitter or whatever. The reality is that SBW has a punch that struggles to break wind. Bob called him an "arm puncher" and thats exactly what he is. A supremely fit 20 something fights an over weight 40 something sickness beneficiary and can't knock him out? Puhleeeease! There is far far more to boxing than fitness and strength. There is also an enormous amount of technique required to turn strength into a devastating punch and to avoid taking damage from your opponent. As soon as SBW fronts up against anyone half decent, he will be out like a light.
Tony
Guest
Do you really think so Danny!
simo
Guest
We see tall poppy syndrome in full effect with SBW's sporting pursuits. The guy has undoubted boxing ability, and will continue to improve until he gives up footy and takes up Boxing fulltime(at around 30 im guessing). I take my hat off to the bloke for putting himself out there and having a crack and what hasnt been done before. His next fight is a huge step up and whilst i believe he will win it will be a tough fight. I Agree Sonny doesnt look totally comfortable in the ring yet but that will come.People wrote Mundine off(respected blokes like Jeff Fenech) and look what he ended up acheiving, I can see him fighting for a minor world title(IBO,WBO) one day and being victorious. The thing that im concerned about is Sonny's hands and how low he holds them, ala Roy jones, Mundine. Sonny has good hand speed for a heavyweight, but a good heavyweight will eventually exploit his lowered hands and it will be lights out.
Damien
Roar Guru
I'm not following your comment here Grafter, My point is Bob Jones is the one embarassing boxing with Paker's fight against Tuteru, so he's just as bad if not worse (he should be above this sort of stuff) than the footy players you have a problem with. I understand why that fight happened (Parker) so I'm not really fussed about it. Thats the fight game. Also you're being unkind with Woods and Hoppa. Their footy days were over and they needed to provide for their families. Boxing was in their view the best way to do it. They're hardly cashing in on their sucess. Most of the prizefighters out their are doing it for exactly the same reason. Hoppa's not everyone's cup of tea but his TKO win against Mirovic was all heart. He broke his hand and busted his shoulder and still came out on top against a guy that has KO'ed Colin Wilson. That fight was pretty brutal. And Woods was probably a better boxer than footy player. Boxing has alot more problems that can be highlighted than former footy players giving it a go to try and make some money..
Damien
Roar Guru
Its Mr. Williams for you Grafter..LOL..I can't get the smiley face feature..
Damien
Roar Guru
Personally I prefer Sonny Bill, just sounds better IMO, but that can get abit long to type. Hence SBW. It's laziness more than anything..
The Grafter
Guest
Well written BA.
The Grafter
Guest
Fonz your better than that. His surname is Williams. Hes not out mate, nor is he a godlike person...... Give my best to Malph and the boys.
The Grafter
Guest
Im impressed Damien you are now at least putting his intials up :( rather than refering to his christan name/s. Can we call him Sonny William Williams?
The Grafter
Guest
The media hyped him in a similar vein to Carl Webb and Kevin Tamati. All three blokes had less than 10fights (Tamati was 1) and are all stated to be 'champions' in their own right when 'fighting'.
joeb
Guest
“What do you make of a supremely gifted athlete who changes rugby codes just when he is establishing a legacy for the ages? That is the case of Sonny Bill Williams." Why would he want to throw it all away for boxing, other than for a quick buck, as Mundine did? After his stint with the Roosters here's hoping he returns to the 15-man-a-side game and re-establishes himself as one of the best rugby union players ever. Boxing career? Chances are he'll end up like Ali, brain dead and a vegetable. Forget it. Fully fit he'll be an incredible sight in league again.
The Grafter
Guest
40 mill Sean. Very true mate.
The Grafter
Guest
Very true Daniam. I was over there and heard the original 'opponent' for young Parker pulled out in 3 days pre fight hence the gorilla getting the late call. It is a joke mate, and an insult to the great sport hence why I write against the Williams', Hopoates, Woods, et al that embarass boxing with 'cashing in' on their success in other sport.
2BB (AKA 2 Bob Billy)
Guest
Money's on Mal in 1
Damien
Roar Guru
You must not follow boxing too much Harry coz Barry Hall gave boxing up before he even had his fiirst fight. He didn't feel that he would put 100% into his training.
Arthur Fonzarelli
Guest
Would loved to have seen Sonny Bill fight Mal Meninga. Seeing Big Mal punch Mark Jackson's nostrils hard and often was highly entertaining.
Damien
Roar Guru
I don't recall SBW ever suggesting that he will ever be a better boxer than footy player. In fact I don't even remember SBW ever saying that he will be a World HW Champ. I do remember hearing that he wants to eventually take up boxing full time and give it a decent crack. The closest SBW ever got to saying World Title was when a journalist asked him if he thought he can be a HW Champ. Then SBW replied hopefully one day if everything went right he may be in with a shot, which is just your average cliche'd but honest answer that most fighters will say. Nothng earth shattering in that answer. SBW may end up a footnote in the HW Division or after committing full time and proper training may end up HW Champ. Who knows. But I don't think he should be bagged mercilessly for daring to give it a go.